A jumble of agreements and announcements, probably worth tens of billions of euros. This is the objective of the Defense Industry Forum, which opens today in Ankara and kicks off the NATO summit. Leading the charge is Secretary General Mark Rutte, who promises big news, particularly in the sectors of strategic airlift, ground surveillance, critical defense materials, drones and the replacement of NATO’s AWACS fleet.
Furthermore, a panel is planned with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on the convergence between the EU and NATO when it comes to the defense industry. However, the forum is also designed as a showcase for meetings between large European and American industries, as well as between policy makers and officials.
Italy is present with Leonardo’s CEO, Lorenzo Mariani, who participates in the panel on society and readiness together, for example, with Finnish President Stubb and Dutch Prime Minister Jetten. Among the highlights is the feasibility study to increase production in Europe of the AMRAAM missiles of the American Raytheon, which links Belgium, Canada, Germany, Finland, Norway, Holland and the United Kingdom, and the letter of intent for a PAC-3 Patriot missile maintenance center of Lockeed Martin, with Germany, Holland, Poland, Sweden, USA.
Trump left for Ankara, tomorrow the NATO summit and the bilateral meeting with Zelensky
Donald Trump left for the NATO summit in Ankara. The American president is expected to arrive at 2.15pm local time at the airport of the Turkish capital where he will be welcomed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan with whom he will then have a bilateral meeting at 3.15pm local time. According to the agenda provided by the White House, in the evening Trump will participate in a dinner with the other NATO leaders. Tomorrow, Wednesday 8 July, the family photo at 10.50 local time, while the Atlantic Alliance summit is scheduled to begin at 11.15. At 2.30 pm local time the bilateral meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky. At 4.15pm the tycoon is expected to hold a press conference.
Erdogan will see Trump, Carney and Stubb in Ankara today
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has separate meetings scheduled today with the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, and with the Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, at the presidential palace in Ankara on the sidelines of the NATO summit. According to Milliyet reports, after the meetings with Carney and Stubb the Turkish leader will personally welcome the president of the United States, Donald Trump, upon arrival at Ankara airport, the two will subsequently have a bilateral meeting which will be followed by a joint press conference.